Japanese Grand Prix - Free Practice Two

@wtf: I'd wager that's an issue with our timing screen. He has done three laps, so when it said nine that was an error which appears to have corrected itself.

by Nate Saunders10/3/2014 6:20:06 AM

We're into the final ten minutes of this session.

by Nate Saunders10/3/2014 6:20:32 AM

At Rishabh Bhardwa, remember Monaco, also The best makes mistakes !!!

by Domi10/3/2014 6:21:06 AM

Vettel runs deep across the artificial grass at Spoon, where drivers are reporting spots of rain.

by Nate Saunders10/3/2014 6:21:37 AM

Raikkonen also dipping a wheel on the grass on the exit of 130R, not the sort of place you want to lose control of your car.

by Nate Saunders10/3/2014 6:21:54 AM

JB is the boss at Suzuka.

by RawPace10/3/2014 6:21:56 AM

@RawPace: He looks in good knick here. Currently P4.

by Nate Saunders10/3/2014 6:22:16 AM

Rosberg told the rain appears to be holding off and that he will have six timed laps as plannd.

by Nate Saunders10/3/2014 6:22:27 AM

Replay shows Alonso lift slightly through 130R.

by Nate Saunders10/3/2014 6:22:57 AM

P4 but in a dog of car compared to Mercs and Wills.

by RawPace10/3/2014 6:23:00 AM

Indeed. Though, as I always point out, practice times can be misleading so important never to read too much into them.

by Nate Saunders10/3/2014 6:23:18 AM

Kimi tried 130r flat-oops!

by RCC10/3/2014 6:23:21 AM

From some drivers you can see they like a circuit , like JB in Suzuka, the best drivers go fast everywhere !

by Domi10/3/2014 6:24:01 AM

Alonso now stuck behind Hulkenberg, who missed the apex at the chicane but emerged ahead of the Ferrari. Doesn't look like he's yielding for the Spaniard, either, and he has no obligation to with both of them on long runs. Important data to be weaned from these final six minutes.

by Nate Saunders10/3/2014 6:24:53 AM

Perez back in the garage, watching on. A continuing problem with the gearbox for the Mexican this afternoon.

by Nate Saunders10/3/2014 6:25:14 AM

@RawPace Lewis mentioned Mercedes usually runs with their engine modes turned down completely in Practice, to save performance. So you never know the true time.

by Rishabh Bhardwaj10/3/2014 6:25:20 AM

Vettel complaining about the rain on the circuit, but Red Bull says it is up to him when he comes in.

by Nate Saunders10/3/2014 6:26:17 AM

Another Toro Rosso has slowed again - it's JEV again, ending what is a miserable day for the his car.

by Nate Saunders10/3/2014 6:26:40 AM

He's stopped right in the middle of the exit of Spoon and the run up to 130R, so the red flags come out, meaning this session will come to a premature conclusion with so little time left on the clock.

by Nate Saunders10/3/2014 6:27:34 AM

JEV's car has stopped three times today - twice with him at the wheel, and once this morning when being driven by Verstappen.

by Nate Saunders10/3/2014 6:28:05 AM

That's worrying - the replay shows JEV fiddling with buttons on his steering wheel and the whole dashboard just going out. An electrical issue and that explains why he jolted to a halt in that fashion.

by Nate Saunders10/3/2014 6:28:34 AM

Everyone heads back into the pit lane, and race control confirms the session will not be restarted.

by Nate Saunders10/3/2014 6:29:20 AM

Amazingly, that's 100 sessions Mercedes has topped this season. Quite remarkable from the team, who of course can secure the constructors' championship with a one-two this weekend.

by Nate Saunders10/3/2014 6:29:52 AM

Well, there we have it, that's all from FP2 and this time it is Hamilton who beats Rosberg to P1. Nothing to choose between the Mercedes and a very close battle forming behind between Williams, Red Bull and Ferrari. Tomorrow should be fascinating.

by Nate Saunders10/3/2014 6:30:46 AM

Thanks as ever for joining me this afternoon (or morning, depending on where you are!) and please do come back again tomorrow for FP3 - the final chance the teams have to perfect set-up ahead of qualifying and Sundays race.